Communication

As in most stories about relationships, communications comes into play in many different ways in "Rainbow Valley." The most glaring communication problem is that between the Reverend John Meredith and his four young children. That communication problem is that there is hardly any communication at all. John lost his wife four years before the story begins. Although he doesn't vocalize it, he is depressed and misses his wife who he loved dearly. His pastoral duties coupled with raising for rambunctious children proves to much for him and he retreats, withdraws within himself and focuses on his work and study and his grief.

The manse children have no problem communicating with each other. They are probably somewhat forced to talk openly with each other because they really have no one else to go to for guidance and must rely on themselves and each other to get through the day...